Richard Simmons released from hospital after 'exhibiting bizarre behaviour'

Richard Simmons attends the 87th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on November 28, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)Richard Simmons attends the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images)Fitness advocate Richard Simmons, wearing his signature shorts and tanktop, leads Capitol Hill staff and visitors through an exercise routine July 24, 2004 in Washington, DCKaty Perry and Richard Simmons attend the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for MTV)Richard Simmons (L) and Gwen Stefani attend the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's 24th Annual "A Time For Heroes" at Century Park on June 2, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for EGPAF)Richard Simmons attends the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's 24th Annual "A Time For Heroes" at Century Park on June 2, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for EGPAF)

Celebrity fitness guru Richard Simmons has been released from the hospital in Los Angeles.

The 67-year-old was reportedly taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for observation just before midnight on Friday, after exhibiting bizarre behaviour.

But sources tell TMZ, he was sent home on Saturday and on Sunday the star confirmed to the outlet himself in a statement he sought medical care for "dehydration".

Previous reports suggest his housekeeper called for help 911 after Simmons became incoherent on Friday night.

Richard Simmons attends the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images)

Paramedics determined Richard needed a medical evaluation so they could rule out a stroke or dementia, according to the news site.

Los Angeles Fire Department representatives have confirmed paramedics did respond to a call placed from Simmons' home just before midnight, and a person at the residence was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, but they declined to reveal the individual's identity.

Simmons has sparked concern for his welfare in recent years after removing himself from the public spotlight following a string of bizarre TV appearances - he hid in a dressing room after Access Hollywood Live host Billy Bush kicked off a game of tag on the set of the U.S. morning show in January, 2012, and suggested the colourful fitness guru be 'it'.

He also took exception to funnyman Howie Mandel's jokes at his expense.

Richard Simmons attends the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's 24th Annual "A Time For Heroes" at Century Park on June 2, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for EGPAF)

His crazy antics made the headlines again when he returned to the show in 2013.

The exercise legend has not been seen in public for at least two years and his relative seclusion prompted The New York Daily News newspaper to launch an investigation into his whereabouts following reports suggesting he was being deliberately kept from his friends and family by his longtime live-in housekeeper Teresa Reveles.

After the paper published their findings in an article in March, Simmons slammed the piece, telling Entertainment Tonight during a phone interview the write-up was "very hurtful", adding, "No one should be worried about me.

"The people that surround me are wonderful people who take great care of me... It was time for me to take some time to be by myself. This is how I want to live my life right now."

Katy Perry and Richard Simmons attend the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center on August 25, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for MTV)